#2035: "Benevolent" Dictator for Haiti frightens Coates

[Robert Corbett <bcorbett@netcom.com>]

From: Carrol Coates <ccoates@binghamton.edu>
>
>From: Mark Gill <markgill@midwest.net>
>
>i think it is the enormity of the task in Haiti that causes some to feel
>that a "benevolent dictator" would provide the best course for Haiti's
>future.....

I have not had time to follow this discussion in detail--but the very idea
of "benevolent" dictator rings an alarm for me.  Any examples of
"benevolent dictators?", either in Haitian history or elsewhere?  Faustin
Ier?  Vincent?  Lescot?  Duvalier?  Cedras? (in Haitian history)--or
Mobutu, Bokasa, Houphouet-Boigny, Eyadema, and many others from West
Africa?  Frederick the Great?  I don't vote for any of these or anybody
else I can think of....  in all skepticism...Carrol Coates


Carrol F. Coates
Binghamton University--SUNY
e:  ccoates@binghamton.edu
tel:  (607) 777-4632